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Cited by 560Lymphatic System and DiseasesCancer survivorship and careBreast Cancer Treatment Studies

Arm edema in breast cancer patients

Erickson, V. S., Pearson, M. L., Ganz, P. A., Adams, J., Kahn, K. L.·2001·JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute
DOI 10.1093/jnci/93.2.96
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Abstract

The improvement in the life expectancy of women with breast cancer raises important questions about how to improve the quality of life for women sustaining complications of breast cancer treatment. In particular, attention to common problems, such as arm edema, is of critical importance. We reviewed published breast cancer guidelines and literature identified via MEDLINE(R) searches in an effort to summarize the research literature pertinent to management of breast cancer-related arm edema, including incidence, prevalence, and timing; risk factors; morbidity; prevention; diagnosis; and efficacy of nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions. We found that arm edema is a common complication of breast cancer therapy that can result in substantial functional impairment and psychological morbidity. The risk of arm edema increases when axillary dissection and axillary radiation therapy are used. Recommendations for preventive measures, such as avoidance of trauma, are available, but these measures have not been well studied. Nonpharmacologic treatments, such as massage and exercise, have been shown to be effective therapies for lymphedema, but the effect of pharmacologic interventions remains uncertain. Comparing results across studies is complicated by the fact that the definitions of interventions and measures of outcomes and risk stratification vary substantially among studies. As arm edema becomes more prevalent with the increasing survival of breast cancer patients, further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of preventive strategies and therapeutic interventions.

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Crossref · 10.1093/jnci/93.2.96

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  • Combined moderate intensity aerobic and resistance exercise 2-3 times per week for at least 12 weeks improves HRQoL in cancer survivors during and after treatment.

    “Combined moderate intensity aerobic and resistance exercise performed 2–3 times per week for at least 12 weeks results in improvements in HRQoL both during and after treatment(17, 31, 32).”

    From Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors: Consensus Statement from International Multidisciplinary Roundtable (2019) · cites this paper as [31]

  • Moderate intensity aerobic training, resistance training, or combined aerobic plus resistance training three times weekly for 8-12 weeks significantly improves self-reported physical function in cancer survivors.

    “Moderate intensity aerobic training, resistance training or combined aerobic plus resistance training performed three times weekly for 8–12 weeks can significantly improve self-reported physical function(31, 32, 44).”

    From Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors: Consensus Statement from International Multidisciplinary Roundtable (2019) · cites this paper as [31]

  • Four recent RCTs not included in either systematic review show consistent evidence of small to moderate effect sizes on overall sleep quality for aerobic training, walking, and resistance training.

    “Four recent RCTs not included in either systematic review have shown consistent evidence of small to moderate effect sizes on overall sleep quality for aerobic training(51), in addition to walking specifically(52, 53) and one study reported evidence of benefit for resistance training(31).”

    From Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors: Consensus Statement from International Multidisciplinary Roundtable (2019) · cites this paper as [31]

  • The majority of available evidence on safety and efficacy of exercise during and following cancer treatment is from RCTs of supervised and/or home-based prescribed exercise, and trials in breast cancer survivors.

    “the majority of available evidence on the safety and efficacy of exercise during and following cancer treatment is derived from RCTs of supervised and/or home-based prescribed exercise, and trials in breast cancer survivors(17, 31, 32).”

    From Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors: Consensus Statement from International Multidisciplinary Roundtable (2019) · cites this paper as [31]

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Authors
Erickson, V. S., Pearson, M. L., Ganz, P. A., Adams, J., & Kahn, K. L.
Affiliations
  • RAND Corporation (US)
  • University of California, Los Angeles (US)
Corresponding author
Erickson, V. S.
ORCID
Venue
JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2001-01-17
Volume
93
Issue
2
Pages
96-111
ISSN
  • 0027-8874 (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-2105
DOI
10.1093/jnci/93.2.96
OpenAlex
W2132750024
Cited by
560
References
119
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 26 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 36 · 2012: 35
FWCI
2.33
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Lymphatic System and Diseases
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Breast Cancer Treatment Studies
Keywords
breast cancer, arm edema, lymphedema, axillary lymph node dissection, treatment complications, risk factors, prevention, massage, physical activity, non-pharmacological treatment, pharmacological interventions, quality of life, functional disability, psychological morbidity
MeSH terms
Arm, Axilla, Breast Neoplasms, Female, Humans, Lymph Node Excision, Lymphatic Metastasis, Lymphedema, Mastectomy, Risk Factors, Severity of Illness Index, Time Factors, Incidence, Prevalence, Physical Therapy Modalities

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